DESTINATION PYRENEES-ATLANTIQUE

Pyrenees-Atlantiques is part of the Aquitaine region of Southwest France. It is bordered by the Landes, Hautes-Pyrenees , Gers departments and the Bay of Biscay. Principal settlements include Pau, Oloron-Sainte-Marie, Orthez, Biarritz, Bayonne, Anglet, Urrugne, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Hendaye.

Quick Links Pau Biarritz Bayonne Hendaye

DISCOVER PYRENEES-ATLANTIQUE: Bayonne, Biarritz, Hendaye, Oloron-Sainte-Marie, Orthez, Pau, Saint-Jean-de-Luz,

DISCOVER BAYONNE The Nive divides Bayonne into Grand Bayonne and Petit Bayonne, with five bridges between the two, both quarters still backed by Vauban's walls. The houses lining the Nive are examples of Basque architecture, with half-timbering and shutters in the national colours of red and green. The much wider Adour is to the north ...

DISCOVER BIARRITZ Biarritz's casino (opened in 1901) and beaches make the town a notable tourist centre for Europeans, and East Coast North Americans. The city has also become a prime destination for surfers from around the world, developing a nightlife and surf based culture. Biarritz became more renowned in 1854 when Empress Eugenie (the wife of Napoleon III) built a palace on the beach ...

DISCOVER HENDAYE Hendaye acquired its independence from the Urrugne parish in 1598, when the Saint Vincent church was built. During the Franco-Spanish War, the town was briefly occupied by the Spanish, in September 1636. On the fortified Ile des Faisans (Pheasant Island) in the river, the Treaty of the Pyrenees was signed in 1659, ending decades of intermittent war between France and Spain ...

DISCOVER OLORON-SAINTE-MARIE Oloron-Sainte-Marie stands on one of the ancient routes of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage, so it is a well-known stopping place for walkers and modern-day pilgrims alike. As it stands on the edge of the Pyrenees, Oloron is also a centre and portal for many activities associated with the mountains: skiing, cycling, white water rafting, canyoning and rambling ...

DISCOVER ORTHEZ The Gave de Pau is crossed at Orthez by a 14th century bridge which has four arches and is surmounted at its centre by a tower. Several old houses, and a church of the 12th, 14th and 15th centuries are of some interest, but the most remarkable building is the Tour de Moncade, a pentagonal tower of the 13th century, once the keep of a castle ...

DISCOVER PAU Pau was birthplace of Henry IV of France. His mother, Jeanne d'Albret, crossed into France to ensure her son would be born there. The baby's lips were moistened with the local Jurançon wine and rubbed with garlic shortly after birth. When Henry IV left Pau to become King of France, he remarked to local notables that he was not giving Bearn to France, but giving France to Bearn ...

DISCOVER SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay is situated to the east of the Bay of Biscay. It is the only sheltered bay between Arcachon and Spain. Thanks to its strong sea walls or dykes that protect the town from the full savagery of the Atlantic ocean, it has become a favourite for bathers across the Basque Coast. The seaside resort itself, is, relatively recent, however, the port itself is old ...

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